Active respiratory filtration system

Abstract

An active respiratory filtration system that provides a continuous flow of filtered air to a face mask, covering the nose and mouth of the user. The forced air is directed into the inner volume of the face mask, creating a positive pressure which yields several advantages, including: reducing user inhalation, reducing heat built-up within the face mask's inner volume, help overcome face mask perimeter seal breach issues. Some embodiments include the use of pliable mask filters, enabling the filtration of exhalation air from the user to the environment, thereby protecting others. Other embodiments include at least one check valve integrated into the face mask, thereby reducing the user exhalation effort. The system is configured to be compact, light-weight and portable.

What is claimed herein is: 
     
         1 . An active respiratory filtration system for providing a hygienic barrier between a user and the user's proximate surroundings having a volume of unfiltered air, said active respiratory filtration system comprising a harness adapted to engage with the user's head, said harness comprising:
 (a) a rear portion comprising a filtration system module attached thereon, said filtration system module further comprising:   (b) (i) an air pump for moving the volume of unfiltered air through a rear filter, so to produce a delivery of filtered air; and   (c) (ii) a control system functionally connected to said air pump for controlling said delivery of filtered air, said control system further comprising a power source for motivating said air pump; and   (d) (iii) an air transport enclosure system configured for directing flow of said delivery of filtered air exiting from said filtration system module; and   (e) a front portion, comprising a face mask attached thereon, said face mask configured from a filter material, said face mask comprising:   (f) (i) an inner volume and an outer surface; and   (g) (ii) at least one face mask connector disposed on said outer surface configured to fluidly engage with said air transport enclosure system, so to direct said delivery of filtered air from said filtration system module to said inner volume of said face mask.   
     
     
         2 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said face mask receives said delivery of filtered air so to produce a positive pressure environment within said inner volume of said face mask, thereby reducing the risk of environmental contamination via face mask gaps or defects. 
     
     
         3 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said face mask further comprises at least one check valve for enabling the unfiltered venting of the user's exhalation air from said inner volume of said face mask, thereby circumventing said filter material, resulting in a reduction in exhalation effort. 
     
     
         4 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said air transport enclosure system further comprises at least one check valve disposed therein, configured to prevent backflow of the user's exhalation air. 
     
     
         5 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said rear filter and said face mask is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a pathogenic filtering material, a particulate contaminant filtering material, a HEPA certified material and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said air pump is disposed downstream of said rear filter, whereby said air pump receives said delivery of filtered air. 
     
     
         7 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said control system is configured to manage a power delivery to said air pump, wherein magnitude of said power delivery is determined by the demands of the user's application. 
     
     
         8 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a redundant member functionally incorporated to said active respiratory filtration system, wherein said redundant member is selected from the group consisting of a second air pump, a second rear filter, a second control system and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein said air transport enclosure system is selected from the group consisting of a hose, a tube, a rectangular duct and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . An active respiratory filtration system for providing a hygienic barrier between a user and the user's proximate surroundings having a volume of unfiltered air, said active respiratory filtration system comprising a harness adapted to engage with the user's head, said harness comprising:
 (a) a rear portion comprising a filtration system module attached thereon, said filtration system module further comprising:   (b) (i) an air pump for moving the volume of unfiltered air through a rear filter, so to produce a delivery of filtered air; and   (c) (ii) a control system functionally connected to said air pump for controlling said delivery of filtered air, said control system further comprising a power source for motivating said air pump; and   (d) (iii) an air transport enclosure system configured for directing flow of said delivery of filtered air exiting from said filtration system module; and   (e) a front portion, comprising a face mask attached thereon, said face mask configured from a filter material, said face mask comprising:   (f) (i) an inner volume and an outer surface; and   (g) (ii) at least one face mask connector disposed on said outer surface configured to fluidly engage with said air transport enclosure system, so to direct said delivery of filtered air from said filtration system module to said inner volume of said face mask,   wherein said face mask receives said delivery of filtered air so to produce a positive pressure environment within said inner volume of said face mask, thereby reducing the risk of environmental contamination via face mask gaps or defects.   
     
     
         11 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said face mask further comprises at least one check valve for enabling the unfiltered venting of the user's exhalation air from said inner volume of said face mask, thereby circumventing said filter material, resulting in a reduction in exhalation effort. 
     
     
         12 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said air transport enclosure system further comprises at least one check valve disposed therein, configured to prevent backflow of the user's exhalation air. 
     
     
         13 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said rear filter and said face mask is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a pathogenic filtering material, a particulate contaminant filtering material, a HEPA certified material and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said air pump is disposed downstream of said rear filter, whereby said air pump receives said delivery of filtered air. 
     
     
         15 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said control system is configured to manage a power delivery to said air pump, wherein magnitude of said power delivery is determined by the demands of the user's application. 
     
     
         16 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , further comprising a redundant member functionally incorporated to said active respiratory filtration system, wherein said redundant member is selected from the group consisting of a second air pump, a second rear filter, a second control system and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The active respiratory filtration system of  claim 10 , wherein said air transport enclosure system is selected from the group consisting of a hose, a tube, a rectangular duct and any combination thereof.